1.
Canada
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Canada is a country in the northern half of North America. Canadas border with the United States is the worlds longest binational land border, the majority of the country has a cold or severely cold winter climate, but southerly areas are warm in summer. Canada is sparsely populated, the majority of its territory being dominated by forest and tundra. It is highly urbanized with 82 per cent of the 35.15 million people concentrated in large and medium-sized cities, One third of the population lives in the three largest cities, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Its capital is Ottawa, and other urban areas include Calgary, Edmonton, Quebec City, Winnipeg. Various aboriginal peoples had inhabited what is now Canada for thousands of years prior to European colonization. Pursuant to the British North America Act, on July 1,1867, the colonies of Canada, New Brunswick and this began an accretion of provinces and territories to the mostly self-governing Dominion to the present ten provinces and three territories forming modern Canada. With the Constitution Act 1982, Canada took over authority, removing the last remaining ties of legal dependence on the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Canada is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy, with Queen Elizabeth II being the head of state. The country is officially bilingual at the federal level and it is one of the worlds most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, the product of large-scale immigration from many other countries. Its advanced economy is the eleventh largest in the world, relying chiefly upon its abundant natural resources, Canadas long and complex relationship with the United States has had a significant impact on its economy and culture. Canada is a country and has the tenth highest nominal per capita income globally as well as the ninth highest ranking in the Human Development Index. It ranks among the highest in international measurements of government transparency, civil liberties, quality of life, economic freedom, Canada is an influential nation in the world, primarily due to its inclusive values, years of prosperity and stability, stable economy, and efficient military. While a variety of theories have been postulated for the origins of Canada. In 1535, indigenous inhabitants of the present-day Quebec City region used the word to direct French explorer Jacques Cartier to the village of Stadacona, from the 16th to the early 18th century Canada referred to the part of New France that lay along the St. Lawrence River. In 1791, the area became two British colonies called Upper Canada and Lower Canada collectively named The Canadas, until their union as the British Province of Canada in 1841. Upon Confederation in 1867, Canada was adopted as the name for the new country at the London Conference. The transition away from the use of Dominion was formally reflected in 1982 with the passage of the Canada Act, later that year, the name of national holiday was changed from Dominion Day to Canada Day

2.
Ecoregion
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An ecoregion is an ecologically and geographically defined area that is smaller than a bioregion, which in turn is smaller than an ecozone. All three of these are less or greater than an ecosystem. Ecoregions cover relatively large areas of land or water, and contain characteristic, the biodiversity of flora, fauna and ecosystems that characterise an ecoregion tends to be distinct from that of other ecoregions. Three caveats are appropriate for all bio-geographic mapping approaches, firstly, no single bio-geographic framework is optimal for all taxa. Ecoregions reflect the best compromise for as many taxa as possible, secondly, ecoregion boundaries rarely form abrupt edges, rather, ecotones and mosaic habitats bound them. Thirdly, most ecoregions contain habitats that differ from their assigned biome, biogeographic provinces may originate due to various barriers. Some physical, some climatic and some ocean chemical related, the history of the term is somewhat vague as it was used in many contexts, forest classifications, biome classifications, biogeographic classifications, etc. The concept of ecoregion of Bailey gives more importance to ecological criteria, while the WWF concept gives more importance to biogeography, there is significant, but not absolute, spatial correlation among these characteristics, making the delineation of ecoregions an imperfect science. Such transition zones are called ecotones, Ecoregions can be categorized using an algorithmic approach or a holistic, “weight-of-evidence” approach where the importance of various factors may vary. An example of the approach is Robert Bailey’s work for the U. S. The intended purpose of ecoregion delineation may affect the method used, according to WWF, the boundaries of an ecoregion approximate the original extent of the natural communities prior to any major recent disruptions or changes. WWF has identified 867 terrestrial ecoregions, and approximately 450 freshwater ecoregions across the Earth, the use of the term ecoregion is an outgrowth of a surge of interest in ecosystems and their functioning. In particular, there is awareness of issues relating to spatial scale in the study and it is widely recognized that interlinked ecosystems combine to form a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. The Global 200 is the list of ecoregions identified by WWF as priorities for conservation, Terrestrial ecoregions are land ecoregions, as distinct from freshwater and marine ecoregions. In this context, terrestrial is used to mean of land, WWF ecologists currently divide the land surface of the Earth into 8 major ecozones containing 867 smaller terrestrial ecoregions. The WWF effort is a synthesis of previous efforts to define. Many consider this classification to be decisive, and some propose these as stable borders for bioregional democracy initiatives. The eight terrestrial ecozones follow the major floral and faunal boundaries, identified by botanists and zoologists, ecozone boundaries generally follow continental boundaries, or major barriers to plant and animal distribution, like the Himalayas and the Sahara

3.
Beech-maple forest
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A beech-maple forest or a maple beech forest is a climax mesic closed canopy hardwood forest. It is primarily composed of American beech and sugar maple trees which co-dominate the forest, a form of this forest was the most common forest type in the Northeastern United States when it was settled by Europeans and remains widespread but scattered today. The canopy is dominated by American beech and sugar maple trees, the reduced light provides poor conditions for shrubs, with the exceptions of American witch-hazel and alderleaf viburnum shrubs. The ground cover includes herbs and spring ephemerals, flowers which are able to bloom before the canopy fills in, seedlings of beech and maple trees are shade-tolerant, allowing them to grow in low light conditions for several years. These seedling are waiting for an opening in the canopy, beech-maple forests are often found on flat or rolling terrain, in a variety of moist to well-drained soils with high levels of organic matter. They thrive in glacial till from the Wisconsin glaciation, typically, in sandy soils, the maple is more common while in soils that have more clay in them, the beech is more dominant. There must be a high level of precipitation. These forests are the result of succession, a long progression of different plant species over centuries. One possible sere is from ground, it would start with weeds, then shrubs, weedy trees, then coniferous trees. If the conditions allow, the climax community for several different series is the beech-maple community. Even in a community dominated by two types of trees, there can be many different species of trees on the edges of the forest. The range of the beech-maple forest type extends from the Atlantic coast west to Minnesota, Michigan and from southern Canada south to Virginia and it is widespread in New York and was an important component of the original vegetation of northeastern Ohio. Instances of a beech-maple forest can be found at altitudes of 320 feet to 3,900 feet, ecological succession Old-growth forest Beech Maple Forest

4.
Long Point, Ontario
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Long Point is a sand spit and medium-sized hamlet on the north shore of Lake Erie, part of Norfolk County in the province of Ontario, Canada. It is about 40 kilometres long and is about a kilometre across at its widest point, Lake Erie lies to the south of Long Point, and Long Point Bay lies on the north side comprise. The bay is subdivided into the Inner Bay and Outer Bay by a line runs between Turkey Point to the north and Pottohawk Point to the south. Some of the towns along the north shore include Port Rowan, Turkey Point. Long Point is north of and across the lake from Erie, a wide range of field, grain, oilseed, fruit, vegetable and specialty crops are grown. Livestock production includes beef and dairy cattle, hogs and poultry, the population of Norfolk County in 2006 was 62,563, up 2. 8% from 60,845 in 2001. Eco-tourism also forms an important part of the local economy, the year-round population of Long Point is about 450 people, but the population increases in summer months when cottagers and campers visit. Long Point is popular destination for boating, swimming, fishing, waterfowl-hunting and canoeing, attracting between 100,000 and 300,000 visitors each year. A large portion of Long Point is owned by the Long Point Company, because of this, most homes, cottages and business are within the first few kilometres of the causeway that carries the road between Long Point and the mainland. Long Point is the location of an Ontario provincial park, Long Point Provincial Park, North of the peninsula lie four islands classified as Lake Erie Islands, Ryersons, Second, Snow, and Millionaires Island, which is a collection of cabins located southwest of Ryersons Island. In the 19th century, a storm cut an opening through the middle of Long Point. A lighthouse was built alongside the channel, which was the first of several on the point, the opening became known as The Old Cut. The cut has since closed along the lakeshore, but boaters continue to use the portion to access the bay. During the mid-19th century some of residents saw an opportunity to make easy money by blackbirding. Blackbirders erected fake lighthouses during times of low visibility, ships trying to enter the old cut would run aground. When the crew abandoned ship the blackbirders would loot the ship of cargo, with law enforcement based in London, Ontario, these blackbirders would store their loot on the many hiding spots that Long Point offered. Abigail Becker on several occasions in the 19th century waded into stormy waters to save members of boats that had run aground. Long Point has caused many shipwrecks, with many of wrecks are right off the tip of the point, more than 400 ships have sunk in an area called The Lake Erie Quadrangle

5.
Point Pelee National Park
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Point Pelee National Park is a national park in Essex County in southwestern Ontario, Canada where it extends into Lake Erie. The word pelée is French for bald, Point Pelee consists of a peninsula of land, mainly of marsh and woodland habitats, that tapers to a sharp point as it extends into Lake Erie. Middle Island, also part of Point Pelee National Park, was acquired in 2000 and is just north of the Canada–United States border in Lake Erie. Point Pelee is the southernmost point of mainland Canada, and is located on a foundation of sand, silt. This spit of land is more than seven kilometres long by 4.5 kilometres wide at its northern base. Established in 1918, Point Pelee was the first national park in Canada to be established for conservation and it was designated as a Ramsar site on 27 May 1987. Aboriginal people lived on Point Pelee for many years before European colonization, the largest archaeological site found at Point Pelee is thought to have been occupied between AD700 and 900. In 1790, Deputy Indian Agent Alexander McKee negotiated a treaty with Aboriginal communities that ceded a tract of land. The Caldwell First Nation Chippewa people, who inhabited Point Pelee, were not signatories of that treaty, however, the Crown did not realize this, and their land was ceded nonetheless. Subsequently, they were forced off their land, and Point Pelee remains unceded aboriginal land and this has been publicly acknowledged by the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. Point Pelee was made a park in 1918 at the urging of birdwatchers and hunters. Commercial fishing continued in the park until 1969, Point Pelee was the only Canadian national park to allow hunting until duck hunting was ended in 1989. It forms the southernmost point in mainland Canada and is part of a bird and butterfly migration corridor over Lake Erie via Point Pelee, over 360 bird species have been recorded in the park. The peak time for bird migration is spring, especially May, many birdwatchers from North America and abroad visit the park in spring, often staying in the nearby town of Leamington. One attraction, apart from the numbers and variety of bird passing through on migration, is the opportunity to see more northerly breeding species such as blackpoll warbler before they move on. In March 2006, high winds washed away the sand point, in October 2007 the level of lake Erie dropped enough to reveal the point again extending at least half a mile out into the water and at least 25 feet wide with a winding curve shape to it. Located in the parts of the St. Lawrence Lowlands. With an area of only 1,564 hectares, it is Canadas smallest national park and this sandspit is dominated by till plains which was formed during the last ice age during the advance and retreat of the Wisconsonian ice on a submerged limestone ridge

6.
Pinery Provincial Park
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Pinery Provincial Park is a provincial park located on Lake Huron near Grand Bend, Ontario. It occupies an area of 25.32 square kilometres and it is a natural environment-class Provincial Park created to help preserve oak savannah and the beach dune ecology. It has 1,275 sites of which 404 have electrical hookups and these include the Yurt camping area and the group camping sites. The initial package of land for the park was purchased from the Canada Company in 1957, visitors to Pinery Provincial Park may access free wireless internet at the Visitor Centre provided by the Friends of Pinery Park. The park office is located on Ontario Highway 21 south of Grand Bend, the park is open all year round. Senior staff, including the superintendent, can be reached at the office between 9,00 a. m. and 4,00 p. m. during summer months. The office is open from 8,00 a. m. until 9,00 p. m, there is a sub-office for the Riverside Campground that is open during peak arrival times. Riverside campground is located beside the Old Ausable Channel and it is the largest of the Pinery campgrounds. This campground is open all year round, there are a large number of electrical and pull through sites for RVs and motorhomes. Permits are obtained at the park gatehouse, firewood is available for purchase at the gatehouse and from the Hosts at posted hours. This area is open from May to September and it is the farthest from the main gate. It contains the smaller, more secluded sites within a walk to the beach. These are camping sites that do not have electricity or pull-through site capabilities and this area is open from May to September. The sites are within walking distance to the beach, the outdoor amphitheatre. Dunes campground provides a mixture of electrical and tenting sites, there are three group camping areas. The ten sites each accommodate up to 35 people, water taps and vault toilets are on site. The sites are located near the beaches but are not adjacent to the comfort stations, twelve yurts are located in Area 1 of the Riverside campground. Each Yurt includes bunks for sleeping 6 people, table and chairs, electric lighting, also included are a propane gas barbecue and picnic shelter

7.
Wheatley Provincial Park
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Wheatley Provincial Park is a protected area in the municipality of Chatham–Kent in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. It is located on Lake Erie near the community of Wheatley, visitors to nearby Point Pelee National Park often camp at the park. The park has four campgrounds, Boosey Creek, Highlands, Middle Creek and Two Creeks

8.
Eastern forest-boreal transition
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The Eastern forest-boreal transition is a temperate broadleaf and mixed forests ecoregion of North America, mostly in eastern Canada. There is a section of the ecoregion in the Adirondack Mountains in upper New York State. However the higher elevations of the Laurentian Mountains and the northern Appalachian Mountains in Canada constitute the Eastern Canadian forests ecoregion, the region has a humid continental climate consisting of warm summers and cold, snowy winters, and is warmer towards the south. The flora in this ecoregion varies considerably based on soil conditions and these mixed forests are distinct from the deciduous forests south of the Canadian Shield and the cooler boreal forests to the north. Conifer swamps occur in areas that seasonally flooded, trees can be very dense or sparse, mats of sphagnum moss cover the ground. Black spruce and tamarack are the predominant tree species, where the soil is not saturated year round grows northern white cedar. Speckled alder grows around the edges of swamps and red spruce. Lowland conifer forests occur on flats, low ridges, and knolls near bodies of water and they are dominated by balsam fir and red spruce, although white pine and paper birch also occur. The ground is often stony with little vegetation, hardwood-conifer mixed forests occur in a transition zone between lowland conifer and northern hardwood forests. The ground is less rocky than in the conifer forests. Trees include red spruce, balsam fir, eastern hemlock, red maple, the understory vegetation is abundant, with witchhobble, honeysuckle, and striped maple. The herbaceous layer include common wood sorrel, bunchberry, yellow clintonia, ferns, northern hardwood forests occur on the richest, most productive soils. Sugar maple, American beech, and yellow birch are the predominant tree species, in secondary forests, red spruce, white pine, white ash, eastern hemlock, black cherry, and red maple are present. Witchhobble is an understory shrub. Ferns clubmosses grow in the herbaceous layer, upper slope hardwood-conifer mixed forests are an area of transition between the northern hardwood and the mountain conifer forests. They are similar to forests, but with no red maple. Red spruce and eastern hemlock, together with maple, yellow birch. Red spruce and balsam fir are common at elevations of the mountain conifer forests

9.
Eastern Great Lakes lowland forests
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The Eastern Great Lakes lowland forests is a temperate broadleaf and mixed forest ecoregion of North America, mostly in eastern Canada. This area includes much of northern New York state, western Vermont, the region includes the Frontenac Axis, the Niagara Escarpment up to Manitoulin Island on Lake Huron, and Lake Simcoe. This region has warm summers and cold, snowy winters, trees of the woodland include eastern hemlock, pines, maple, and oaks. Particular areas include the oak/pine mix of the Albany Pine Bush, areas of dry rocky alvar plain, the Eastern Great Lakes lowland forests are very rich in wildlife. Birds include cardinals, downy woodpecker, wood duck and eastern screech owl, less than 5% of natural forest remains intact. List of ecoregions in the United States Eastern Great Lakes Lowland Forests, archived from the original on 2010-03-08. Central U. S. hardwood forests images at bioimages. vanderbilt. edu